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An 85ft superyacht worth £6million carrying 8,000 litres of fuel has sunk after it went up in flames at a harbour in Devon.
Firefighters raced to Torquay harbourside after the luxury boat, which is called the Rendezvous, caught fire shortly before midday today. The flames and smoke caused by the blaze left some people trapped at the far end of the pier, according to one witness, with police confirming the boat drifted from its mooring.
The South West Environment Agency has set its focus on a pollution response with fears of an oil slick after approximately nine tonnes of diesel poured into the Atlantic Ocean.
On Twitter, the agency wrote: ‘Our officers have been checking air quality around Torquay harbour this afternoon following the yacht fire, which was declared a major incident. Thought to be no real issues with air quality, but we’re keeping an eye on the situation.
‘With yacht now sunk, and with approx 9 tonnes of diesel on board, focus now on pollution. Pollution response led by harbour master. Our officers are helping with advice and guidance on bathing water quality etc.’
Police say no one is reported to have been injured in the fire, which forced the closure of the harbour and waterfront while crews desperately tried to put out the flames.
People living nearby are being warned to keep their doors and windows closed to protect themselves from the hazardous fumes.
One witness told Devon Live they saw explosions shortly after the fire began while the boat was alongside the pontoon.
They said: ‘Ropes burnt through and it drifted into pier. Firemen took trolleys and pumps along pontoons but water not reaching.
‘Some people are trapped on the other end of the pier and can’t get back. Firemen are running along the pier. Still huge flames.’
Another described the blaze ‘like a fire ball’.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the yacht contains approximately 8,000 litres of fuel and that crews are battling the flames.
A spokesperson said: ‘Crews again confirm one 85-foot yacht well alight alongside Princess Pier which is also involved in fire, all persons are accounted for and the immediate surrounding area has been evacuated.
Fire crews are currently on Torquay harbourside after the Rendezvous, a £6million 85-foot superyacht went up in flames just before midday
Emergency services were alerted to the fire on the superyacht while it was moored on Princess Pier in the harbour at around midday
According to a spokesperson from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, five fire engines are on the scene after the motorboat caught fire
The boat was engulfed in flames and drifted off its mooring after the fire broke out, with one witness saying they heard explosions
‘The yacht contains approximately 8,000 litres of diesel fuel, crews are currently at work using four Breathing Apparatus wearers, one Compressed Air Foam Jet, two 45mm Jets, two Light Portable Pumps, water relay is currently being carried out by an open water source as well as a street hydrant being used.’
Smoke has been seen all across South Devon and as far as Newton Abbot and Shaldon, with the fire service saying they called for extra crews before arriving at the scene due to the sheer amount of smoke.
A spokesperson for the fire service told Devon Live that five appliances are at the scene, and that a ‘major incident’ has been declared, with the beach evacuated and residents urged to stay indoors.
In a statement Devon and Cornwall Police said no one one was reported to be injured.
‘Police were called at 12.10pm today to Princess Pier in Torquay following reports of a fire on a yacht moored in the marina,’ it said.
‘The boat is believed to be well alight and had broken from the mooring. It has now been secured by the Fire service near the pier.
A witness described hearing explosions from the boat shortly after it caught fire, adding that it had drifted from its mooring
It is not known at this time what caused the dramatic fire. It forced the closure of the harbour while firefighters battled the flames
One witness described the blaze ‘like a fire ball’. Police say no one is thought to have been injured in the fire, but crews continue to battle the flames
Smoke has been seen all across South Devon and as far as Newton Abbot and Shaldon. Residents are being warned to keep their windows and doors closed
‘There have been no reported injuries at this time.
‘Emergency services remain at the scene where the incident is ongoing.
‘Due to levels of smoke and fumes we are asking residents in the area to keep their doors and windows shut at this time. Members of the public are also urged to avoid the area and beaches are being cleared by officers for public safety.’
The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen rising high into the air above the picturesque harbour in Torquay in Devon today
Devon and Cornwall Fire Service said firefighters called for backup before arriving when they saw the size of the smoke plume while travelling to the scene
Crowds gather at Torquay Harbour to see fire crews trying to put out the raging inferno. Police have since closed the harbourfront and nearby beach
Police have closed a number of roads in the area while fire crews dealing with the raging inferno, including the promenade and waterfront areas.
Roads traffic and monitoring service Inrix reported: ‘A379 Torbay Road in both directions blocked, queueing traffic due to fire services activity from Torquay Harbour to Road.’
According to SuperYacht Times the Rendezvous was built in 2010 by Plymouth-based boat maker Princess Yachts.
The smoking remains of the £6 million superyacht boat could be seen inTorquay Harbour on Saturday afternoon, with boats carrying firefighters still in attendance
Firefighters could be seen using their water hoses to dowse the smoking carcass of the boat, while grey smoke rose into the sky
The Rendezvous, pictured here at Torquay Harbour on April 12, is a luxury pleasure craft built by UK boat maker Princess Yachts in 2010
The yacht, pictured here at the harbour in April, can hold 11 people – eight of whom are guests and three of whom are crew
The yacht has been in the harbour for at least a month, with photos taken in April showing it dwarfing other boats in the marina.
It can hold eight guests in its four guest cabins, as well as three crew in two crew cabins.
SuperYacht Times says the boat, which is not currently for sale, has a top speed of 30 knots (34mph), and a fuel capacity of 8,400 litres.
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